The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-05-07
SAVAGE CEREMONIES.
Peculiar Customs Obtaining Among q
Natives Of New Britnin.


by the natives has rarely been witnessed
by white man. saw one last year,
and will endeavor to describe the in-
cidents Of the performance and Its
meanings. The Duk-duk is supposed
to be spirit which makes its appear
ance at the day-break Of the day on
which the new moon appears. 1t in
variably comes from the sea, and as IL
is daylight two or three canoes, with q
platform upon them, are seen coming
to the shore. The entire male COM
m,inity Of the village awaits the COM
ing on the beach seated in silence. On
the platform are two men, leaping and
shouting and crying out in shrill tones.
They wear loose robe of leaves woven
together and reaching to the knees.
On their heads are conical-shaped hats,
some six feet high, from the rims OF
which are hung masks entirely conceal
ing the features. The masks have hor-
rible looking faces painted upon them.
The lower portions Of the legs are alone
visible. AS the dress is supposed to
represent n cassowary, or New Guinea
ostrich, with II human head, the figures
upon landing execute series of hop
ping steps in imitation of the bird.
Meanwhile the natives appear to be
frightened. The Duk-duk is to stay in
the village fortnight, and during that
period he is at liberty to do whatever
he pleases. No woman is allowed to
look at him. In fact. as soon as the
canoe was sighted, the women all ran
away to the bush. After dancing %
short time the Duk-duk goes into the
Jungle and the natives move off slowly
to their homes.
In the evening immense quantities OF
cocoanuts, yams, taro and other food
are piled in the center of the village
square. As each man brings his con-
tribution the Duk-duk dances around
him. If satisfied, he utters shrill cry;
if displeased, the individual receives a
tremendous blow with club. After
these food offerings are concluded the
ceremonies begin. A large bundle of
canes about six feet long and as thick
as ones little finger were brought.
Five or six young men jumped up, and.
holding their hands high above their
heads, received heavy blows from this
bundle of canes, which were welded by
the Duk-duk. The canes curled round
the bodies and at each stroke drew
blood. Other young men took their
places. Sometimes the Duk-duk would
vary the performance by striking with
his club. The ceremonies were repeated
for ten days and then the Duk-duks took
their departure. 1 believe the origin
and meaning of these peculiar cere-
monies are that the old natives hold
power over the young men. The Duk-
duk is always said to belong to some
| old man who summons it out of the sea.
No one knows who is actually dancing
in disguise. but they do know that if the
old men have ordered the Duk-duk to
kill any individual the command will be
obeyed without interference from any
one. Again, the old men, having be-
come decrepit, can not work in their
gardens, and the piles of food offered
to the spirit comes into their possession.
Although cannibalism is reported by
missionaries to have died out among
the islands in the South seas, it is far
more common than generally imagined.
In New Ireland l saw big fight be-
tween two villages, and after the battle
the bodies of those who had fallen were
eaten. The bodies, after being scalded
in hot water, are scraped with bamboo
knife by old women. An old man cuts
up the bodies, taking care to keep the
thigh and shin bones, which are used
for spearheads. After being wrapped
in leaves. the dismembered cadavers
are placed in ovens dug in the ground,
and in four days are ready for eating.
The natives made no cOncealment OF
their disgusting meal, and during the
feast they held wild dancing and orgies.
The preparation of sago, cocoanut and
human brains is called saksak, and is in
great demand among the women. The
females seemed to be more brutal and
savage than the men during the canni.
bal banquet.
With regard to the adaptability oi
these islands to white colonization. there
is no reason why such a scheme should
not succeed. There is rich soil, fine
climate and plenty of water. Although
the natives are savage and suspicious,
they can be easily managed by firmness
and consideration. None of the men
are over five and half feet in stature,
while the women are much shorter
They make good servants, but must be
held in check and never allowed an,
familiarity.-San francisco Chronicle